Ahoy, Matey! A Ship's Library As Experiential Learning Support

Abstract

SUNY Maritime College is a 150-year-old institution, dedicated to preparing students entering STEM fields including marine transportation, engineering, and marine environmental science. Sixty percent of these students are also earning their Merchant Marine Credential, requiring them to spend three summer semesters on board the college’s training ship. The training ship is a floating school which includes housing, classrooms, a gym, a cafeteria, and yes, even a library, staffed by a librarian. TSES VII is the college’s first new training ship in thirty years, and is the country’s first ever purpose-built training ship, the first of five being built for the five state-run maritime academies. Sailing under a maiden voyage in January 2024, this new facility has afforded librarians from the Stephen B. Luce Library the opportunity to redefine how the library fits into this ultimate experiential learning environment. In this presentation, the Discovery and Electronic Resources Librarian and the User Services and Student Engagement Librarian will discuss how they prepped a brand new library space and program, and discuss lessons learned sailing on board with students during the January 2024 Winter Sea Term.